Liquid fuel trap

Abstract

A liquid fuel trap device for a vehicle fuel tank, including a housing formed with a confined space with at least one inlet port. The at least one inlet port is connectable to a corresponding fuel valve. There is an outlet port connectable to a fuel vapor recovery system, and a fuel liquid discharge valve adapted for discharging liquid fuel from the space into the tank. The housing further includes a connecting arrangement for attaching the device on an inner surface of an upper wall of the fuel tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A liquid fuel trap device for a vehicle fuel tank, the device, comprising: 
       a housing formed with a confined space provided with at least one inlet port connectable to a corresponding at least one fuel valve, with an outlet port, which is in communication with a fuel vapor recovery system,  
       a fuel liquid discharge valve effective to discharge liquid fuel from the confined space into the fuel tank,  
       the housing including a connecting arrangement for attaching the device within the fuel tank on an inner surface of an upper wall of the fuel tank.  
     
     
       2. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of at least two members formed in an injection molding process, said members being welded to one another. 
     
     
       3. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet port is situated below the outlet port. 
     
     
       4. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the confined space constitutes an expansion chamber to allow fuel vapor expansion and accumulation of fuel liquid therein. 
     
     
       5. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 4  wherein the expansion chamber is sized so as to significantly reduce flow velocity of the fuel fluid entering the device via the at least one inlet port. 
     
     
       6. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed with a well portion at a lowermost portion of the housing the discharge valve being fitted at said well portion of the housing. 
     
     
       7. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet port and the outlet port are fitted with a connection nipple connectable to a tube, said connecting nipples being integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
       8. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein liquid fuel is discharged from the confined space into the fuel tank through′, the discharge valve, by gravity force. 
     
     
       9. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 8 , wherein the discharge valve is a mushroom-type check valve. 
     
     
       10. The liquid the trap device according to  claim 8 , wherein the discharge valve is a spring biased type check valve. 
     
     
       11. The liquid fuel trap according device to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is formed above the at least one inlet port, so as to prevent liquid splash thereto. 
     
     
       12. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port there is formed a barrier wall, so as to prevent liquid splash thereto. 
     
     
       13. The liquid fuel trap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is snappingly attached to the wall of the fuel tank. 
     
     
       14. A fuel system comprising: 
       a fuel tank,  
       at least one fuel valve,  
       a fuel recovery system and a liquid fuel trap device extending between the at least one fuel valve and the fuel recovery system,  
       said liquid fuel trap device including a housing formed with a confined space with at least one inlet port connectable to the corresponding at least one fuel valve, with an outlet port, which is in communication with the fuel vapor recovery system,  
       said liquid fuel trap device further is provided with a fuel liquid discharge valve effective to discharge liquid fuel from said confined space into the fuel tank, and with a connecting arrangement for attaching the device within the fuel tank on an inner surface of an upper wall of the fuel tank.  
     
     
       15. The fuel system according to  claim 14 , wherein the discharge valve is located at a well portion of the housing formed at a lowermost portion of the housing, said discharge valve is adapted for discharging liquid fuel into the tank by gravity. 
     
     
       16. The fuel system according to  claim 14 , wherein the outlet port is situated above the at least one inlet port so as to prevent liquid splash thereto. 
     
     
       17. The fuel system according to  claim 14 , wherein intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port the housing is formed with a barrier wall, so as to prevent liquid splash thereto. 
     
     
       18. The fuel system according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing of the liquid fuel trap device is snappingly attached to the wall of the fuel tank. 
     
     
       19. The fuel system according to  claim 14 , wherein the liquid fuel trap is located entirely within the fuel tank and being in immediate communication with the fuel recovery system, 
       the at least one fuel and liquid discharge valves are located entirely within the fuel tank and outside of the liquid fuel trap wherein one of the inlet ports of the fuel trap device is located below the outlet port.